Grade 11 Physical Sciences · Mechanics

Draw a closed vector diagram

Draw forces head-to-tail to form a closed triangle, showing that forces acting on an object in equilibrium add up to zero.

past paper questions use it
3 past paper questions use it
videos
3 videos

Learn it: draw a closed vector diagram

Pick one and watch it, then try the questions below. Videos load only when you tap play.

Grade 11 Physics Closed Vector Diagrams: Triangle of forcesMiss Martins Maths and Science
3) Hanging object head to tail | Part 1Kevinmathscience
Gr 11 Equilibrium closed vector diagram EXAM QUESTIONMiss Martins Maths and Science

Now try it on a real exam question

No sign-up. Takes 3 minutes.

Question 1.1 · May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.11 E.
1.1 Three forces act on an object so that the resultant force is zero.

Which ONE of the following vector diagrams is the CORRECT representation of the three forces?(2)
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D

Work it out on paper first. Then mark yourself with the official memo, one tick at a time.

More past paper questions: draw a closed vector diagram

Work each one out first, then open the memo and check every tick.

  1. 3. Question 2.3 · November 2025 · Paper 1 · Provincial · 2 marks

    Three forces, , and , NOT DRAWN TO SCALE, are applied to a crate of kg as shown in the diagram below.Diagram for this question
    2.3 Explain why the three forces will not form a closed vector diagram.(2)
    Show the memo (1 tick)
    1. ✓
      ReasonThe resultant force is not equal to zero.

      2 marks · Draw a closed vector diagram

Free on Android

Know exactly which skill is costing you marks.

Mark past papers tick by tick in the NavyBlue app. It remembers every mark you lose, shows you the skills to fix first, and picks your next questions.

Get NavyBlue free on Google Play
The NavyBlue app showing a learner's weak skills